County trials show future is bright after high-class show

Twelve boys entered the Junior Boys event and were initially divided into two groups.

Lillington Free Church’s Timmy Cooper won the first of these seeing off Paul Lilley of Rugby while Colebridge’s Sam Henderson won the other group from Church’s Lee Dorning.

In the semi-final round Henderson beat Lilley 3-0 and Cooper beat Dorning in five, before falling in straight games to Henderson.

In the 3rd/4th play-off Dorning eclipsed Lilley 3-0.

The top three cadets, Lisa Rinnhofer of Colebridge and Jenny and Katie Singleton, both of Free Church, joined Rugby’s Milly Bradshaw and Church duo Eve Briscoe and Olivia Fletcher in the Junior Girls’ trial.

Fletcher was unbeaten, while Rinnhofer nailed second spot and Bradshaw the third.

The under-15 boys’ trial was split into two preliminary groups.

Adam Cofler and Lewis Singleton, both of Free Church, were first and second in one with Sam Cafearo and Bradley Matthews, both Rugby, qualifying from the other group. The final group saw Cofler emerge as the County number one, Cafearo at two and Matthews at three.

The girls trial was contested by the strongest contingent for a long time with all seven girls playing really competitive matches.

Colebridge’s Lisa Rinnhofer was top winning all her matches including a thrilling deuce-in-the-fifth victory over Church’s Katie Singleton.

Katie also lost deuce in the fifth to club-mate Jenny Singleton which consequently resulted in Jenny finishing second and Katie third.

Robbie Fitchford’s greater experience told in the under-13 boys.

Free Church club-mate Sebastian Priest secured the second ranking with Rugby’s Jack Turner third.

There were only three entrants in the under-13 girls but the standard was high.

Free Church duo Ciara Hancox and Emily Beasley were first on with Hancox winning in five.

Hancox then took a 2-0 lead against Colebridge’s Sophie Rinnhofer who claimed the next two games on deuce before triumphing in five.

All three went on to give their older opponents a tough time in the under-15 event.